Closure Systems and Methods For Containers

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a system for closing containers that includes a support frame, a container feeding station and a lid closing assembly. The container feeding station receives the plurality of containers in an unsealed configuration and moves the containers linearly to the lid closing assembly. The lid closing assembly includes a transport assembly and a sealing assembly. The transport assembly includes laterally opposed first and second drive belts that each include at least one pair of articulating jaws adapted and configured for receiving one of the unsealed containers. The sealing assembly includes a press plate that moves from a first raised position to a second lowered position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/514,462, filed on Jun. 2, 2017 and entitled Lid Closing Machine, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The subject disclosure relates to closure systems and methods for closing containers, and more particularly to, adjustable systems for securely sealing a wide variety of containers, including but not limited to tamper-evident, tamper-resistant plastic containers.

2. Background of the Related Art

Transparent, plastic containers are commonly used in the food industry for packaging food products of all kinds. Typically, plastic containers will include a fairly rigid lid, sidewall, and base, although each of these structures may allow some amount of flexure.

It has been shown that consumers like resealable, leak resistant containers, particularly for use with food products. The ability to reseal the container helps protect food items from contamination and helps keep the food items fresh longer. Consumers and retailers have also shown a preference for transparent plastic containers having tamper-resistant/evident features allowing a prospective purchaser to not only visually inspect the product before purchase, but also to readily recognize and reject a container that has been opened or otherwise tampered with. Resealable plastic containers with tamper-resistant/evident features are also desirable for non-food applications. The lid of such a resealable, tamper-resistant/evident container must be capable of properly and effectively sealing the container by engaging the sidewall of the base throughout its periphery.

Once these containers are filled with the product they must be closed. Since oftentimes the filling is performed using automated machinery, it is desirable to provide a closure system that is capable of receiving the open containers and closing/sealing the containers. Devices for closing and sealing plastic containers are known in the art. To assist producers in efficiently and economically package their food products, many different container filling and closing systems have been developed. One such system seals containers through the use of a heating element or perimeter weld. Other systems have been developed to automatically close containers having locking mechanisms such as projections or buttons that are snapped into mating wells. These prior art systems have not proven sufficient for closing a leak-resistant, resealable, and/or tamper-resistant container.

One of the reasons for this is the inability of prior art container closing systems to apply a uniform closing force to the entire lid of a container to form a leak-resistant and tamper resistant seal. Typically, prior art systems employed to close containers with locking elements advance the locking elements of the containers through fastening wheels or rotating belts which force the locking elements into engagement with each other. However, this type of system may not apply a sufficiently uniform closing force needed to seal a leak-resistant and/or tamper-resistant container.

Similar prior art problems exist with the systems employed to close perimeter seal containers. In these systems, belt drive members are employed to contact the top of the container in an attempt to force the lid downwardly into locked engagement with the base. These systems may apply insufficient pressure to the containers, leaving the seals open or disengaged in certain areas (typically along the edges which are perpendicular to the travel direction). Additionally, these prior art systems may apply excess pressure, causing the containers to buckle or deform. As a result, containers may be left partially closed and/or crushed.

Moreover, although the prior-art container closure systems are adjustable for use with different sizes of containers, making such adjustments has typically been time consuming and difficult, resulting in frustration on the part of a user and ultimately wasted time.

Thus, there is a compelling interest in and need for the development of container closure systems capable of automatically and reliably closing containers which are leak-resistant, resealable and/or tamper-evident containers. There is also a need for container closure systems that can be quickly and accurately adjusted to close containers of different sizes and shapes. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to container closure systems that meet these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to a system for closing/sealing a plurality of containers. Preferably, each container has a base which includes a bottom portion and a sidewall extending upward from the bottom portion and a lid. In a representative embodiment, the closure system includes a support frame; a container feeding station and a lid closing assembly.

The container feeding station is mounted to the support frame and includes a first conveyor belt the receives the plurality of containers in an unsealed configuration and moves the containers linearly from a first end of the container feeding station to a second end.

The lid closing assembly receives the unsealed containers from the second end of the container feeding station and includes: a transport assembly and a sealing assembly.

The transport assembly is mounted to the support frame and includes laterally opposed first and second drive belts, each drive belt including at least one pair of articulating jaws adapted and configured for receiving one of the unsealed containers.

The sealing assembly is mounted to the support frame and is positioned above the transport assembly and includes a vertically actuating press mechanism having a press plate. The press plate moves from a first raised position that allows the transport assembly to position at least one of the containers underneath the press plate, to second position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.

It is envisioned that in certain embodiments the articulating jaws includes a guide face which is shaped to correspond with a portion of the sidewall of the plurality of containers. Moreover, the articulating jaws can be adapted and configured to provide support to at least a portion of the periphery of the base when the press plate is in the second position. In certain constructions, each drive belt include six pairs of spaced-apart articulating jaws. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that any number of pairs of articulating jaws can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In certain embodiments, a second conveyor belt is associated with the lid closing assembly which assists in longitudinally transporting the plurality of containers from a first end of the lid closing assembly to a second end of the lid closing assembly.

The system of the present disclosure is highly adjustable and can be configured to accommodate containers of various size and shapes. For example, it is envisioned that the height of the transport assembly can be selectively adjusted relative to the support frame. Moreover, the distance between the laterally opposed drive belts of the transport assembly can be selectively adjusted. Additionally, it is envisioned that the distance between each the pair of articulating jaws can be selectively adjusted. Still further, the vertical height of the sealing assembly relative to the transport assembly can be selectively adjusted.

It is presently envisioned that in certain embodiments, the container feeding station includes first and second side grip belts which assist in transporting the plurality of containers from the first end to the second end of the container feeding station. Preferably, the distance between the first and second side grip belts of the container feeding station can be selectively adjusted to account for containers of varying size.

In certain constructions, the container feeding station includes a closing rod assembly. Such an assembly is particularly useful when the containers include a hinge which joins the lid to the base.

It is also envisioned that the disclosed systems can further including a controller that allows an index length and belt speed for the system to be adjusted.

The system could also include a controller that interfaces with at least one sensor, the first conveyor belt, the transport assembly and the sealing assembly, wherein the at least one sensor sends a signal to the controller when a container reaches a first point along the length of the system. Wherein upon receiving the signal, the controller stops the transport assembly and causes the press plate to move from the first position to the second position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.

Still further the present disclosure is directed to a method for sealing closing/sealing a plurality of containers. It is envisioned that each container has a base which includes a bottom portion and a sidewall extending upward from the bottom portion and a lid.

Preferably the method includes the steps of:

a) moving a container along the length of a support frame using transport assembly that includes laterally opposed first and second drive belts, each drive belt including at least one pair of articulating jaws adapted and configured for receiving one of the plurality of containers;

b) sensing the presence of the container at a predetermined position along the length of the support frame by means of a sensor, wherein the predetermined position is directly below a sealing assembly that is mounted to the support frame and positioned above the transport assembly, the sealing assembly including a vertically actuating press mechanism having a press plate,

c) stopping the transport assembly when the container reaches the predetermined position;

d) sealing the container by press fitting the lid of the container to the sidewall of the base to form a substantially leak-resistant seal by moving the press plate from a first raised position that allows the transport assembly to position the containers underneath the press plate, to second position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.

The present disclosure is also directed to a system for closing containers that includes: a support frame; a container feeding station and a lid closing assembly. The container feeding station is adjustably mounted to the support frame. The lid closing assembly is also adjustably mounted to the support frame. The container feeding station receives a container in an unsealed configuration and moves the container linearly to the lid closing assembly. The lid closing assembly includes: a transport assembly and a sealing assembly. The transport assembly has laterally opposed first and second drive belts, each including at least one pair of articulating jaws adapted and are configured for receiving the unsealed container. The sealing assembly includes a press plate that moves from a first raised position to a second lowered position where that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.

It should be appreciated that the presently disclosed invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, and a method for applications now known and later developed. These and other unique features of the systems disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed system appertains will more readily understand how to make and use the same, reference may be had to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure system for sealing containers which has been constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the closure system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the closure system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the closure system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view taken from above the container receiving section of a closure system which has been constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6a-6c provide perspective view of three exemplary containers which can be sealed using the closure system of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7-13 illustrate the operation of a closure system which has been constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 provide a top plan view of a pair of jaws which can be used with a closure system which has been constructed in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 15 provides a perspective view of a closure plate assembly which can be used to seal two containers which have a domed shaped lid.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed herein are detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of container closure systems and methods. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the ways in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the systems, devices and methods described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Moreover, the figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components.

Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

Unless otherwise apparent, or stated, directional references, such as “right,” “left,” “upper,” “lower,” “outward,” “inward,” etc., are intended to be relative to the orientation of a particular embodiment of the invention as shown in the first numbered view of that embodiment. In addition, a given reference numeral indicates the same or similar structure when it appears in different figures and like reference numerals identify similar structural elements and/or features of the subject invention.

The present disclosure now will be described more fully, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are necessarily shown. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the container closure systems, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The present invention includes an automatic container closing system including a powered conveyor featuring components that will close all varieties of resealable and tamper-resistant/evident containers. The unique system reliably engages all primary and secondary seals and locks. The modular design allows quick and easy changeover between container sizes. The automatic container closing system is also adaptable for use with other clamshell containers as well as other systems such as systems to apply top, bottom, side or wrap labels to the containers.

For purpose of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an exemplary embodiment of the automatic container closure system in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-5 and is designated generally by reference numeral 100.

System 100 may be used to securely close a wide variety of containers of many different shapes and sizes. System 100 is particularly well suited for closing resealable, tamper-resistant containers having tamper-evident features, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,680 to Boback and U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,003 to Sellari. Examples of such containers are illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C. FIG. 6A illustrates a substantially rectangular container 10 including a base having a bottom portion 12 and a sidewall 14 extending upward from the bottom portion, and a lid 16. The lid 16 includes a peripheral groove 18 formed in the lid near the edges of an upper surface of the lid. FIG. 6B illustrates a substantially square container 10′, which also includes a base portion 12′, a sidewall 14′, a lid 16′, and a peripheral groove in the lid. FIG. 6C illustrates a container 10″ that includes the above features with a substantially circular cross-section. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the lid of these containers is connected to the base through a hinge. However, the containers do not necessarily require a hinge and the lid and the base can be independent structures.

In use, container 10 is filled with food or other products that would benefit from leak-resistant, tamper-resistant seal, and the container is closed by attaching lid 16 to the sidewall 14. Both sidewall 14 and lid 16 include structural features that facilitate the formation of a non-permanent but tamper-resistant engagement between lid 16 and sidewall 14. In one exemplary embodiment, system 100 is configured to securely close containers that are rectangular in shape. However, system 100 may be configured for use with containers of any suitable size or shape, including a container having a cross-section that is substantially circular, square, polygonal, or oval. Moreover, the lid of the container could be domed-shaped and does not need to be flat.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, which depict system 100 for closing/sealing a plurality of containers 10. Closure system 100 includes a support frame 20; a container feeding station 40 and a lid closing assembly 60.

Support frame 20 may include a plurality of support members 26 fastened together by screws, bolts, welding or any other suitable means and positioned to support the component parts of system 100. In one exemplary embodiment, support frame 20 includes wheels 28 that facilitate moving support frame 20 from one place to another. Advantageously, as will be described in detail below, system 100 is fully adjustable with component parts that are easily interchangeable, allowing system 100 to more readily be used as part of a larger production line. For example, system 100 may be used in conjunction with a label applying apparatus as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,322 to Landan. System 100 may form a part of a complete product assembly and packaging line. For example, system 100 may be used in conjunction with a de-nesting apparatus, a transport conveyor belt, a labeler, a check weigher, a metal detector, and a case taper. Such a system would allow for quick, accurate, and efficient assembly and packaging of food products.

The container feeding station 40 is mounted to the support frame 20 and includes a first conveyor belt 42 the receives the plurality of containers 10 in an unsealed configuration and moves the containers linearly from a first end 44 of the container feeding station 40 to a second end 46.

The lid closing assembly 60 receives the unsealed containers 10 from the second end 46 of the container feeding station. As best viewed in FIG. 2, the lid closing assembly 60 includes transport assembly 70 and a sealing assembly 80.

The transport assembly 70 is mounted to the support frame 20 and includes laterally opposed first and second drive belts 72 (best viewed in FIG. 3). Each drive belt includes at several pairs of articulating jaws 74 a/74 b that are adapted and configured for receiving one of the unsealed containers. In FIG. 7 it is shown that each drive belt 72 includes several pairs of articulating jaws and the leading jaw is identified as item 72 b and the trailing jaw is identified as item 72 a.

The sealing assembly 80 is also mounted to the support frame 20 and is positioned above the transport assembly 70 and includes a vertically actuating press mechanism 82 having a removable press plate 84. The press plate 84 moves from a first raised position that allows the transport assembly 70 to position at least one of the containers 10 underneath the press plate 84, to second position such that the press plate urges the lid 18 of the container 10 into sealing engagement with the sidewall 14 of the base.

As best shown in FIG. 14, the articulating jaws 74 a/74 b include a guide face 76 which is shaped to correspond with a portion of the sidewall of the containers 10 being closed. The articulating jaw shown in FIG. 14 are best suited for round containers such as the one shown in FIG. 6c since the guide face 76 is arcuate. However, other shaped guide faces 76 can be used that accommodate different shaped containers without departing from the inventive aspects of the present disclosure. This figure also provide a good view of the through hole 78 which has been provided in each of the articulating jaws 74 a/74 b. This hole 78 allows the articulating jaws 74 a/74 to be attached to bracket assemblies (not shown) that are associated with the drive belts 72. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other mechanisms can be used for attaching the articulating jaws to the drive belts.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-13, the articulating jaws 74 a/74 b are adapted and configured to provide support to at least a portion of the periphery of the base when the press plate is in the second position. More specifically, a portion of the articulating jaw extends under the skirt 15 of the container 10 and provides a surface upon which the press plate 84 can react. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that any number of pairs of articulating jaws can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

A second conveyor belt 62 is associated with the lid closing assembly 60 which assists in longitudinally transporting the plurality of containers 10 from a first end of the lid closing assembly to a second end of the lid closing assembly.

As mentioned previously, system 100 is highly adjustable and can be configured to accommodate containers of various sizes and shapes. For example, the height of the transport assembly 70 can be selectively adjusted relative to the support frame 20 by turning wheels 64 which are connect to a linkage 68 located on the underside of the transport assembly 70. Moreover, the distance between the laterally opposed drive belts 72 of the transport assembly 70 can be selectively adjusted as well as its is supported by guide rods Additionally, the distance between each the pair of articulating jaws 74 a/74 b can be selectively adjusted by securing them to different linkages in the drive belts 72. Still further, the vertical height of the sealing assembly 80 relative to the transport assembly 70 can be selectively adjusted as it is mounted to vertical guide rods 86.

The container feeding station 40 shown in FIG. 5 includes first and second side grip belts 48 a/48 b which assist in transporting the plurality of containers from the first end 44 to the second end 46 of the container feeding station 40. These side grip belts 48 a/48 b are especially advantagesous in situations when the containers are round (see FIG. 6c ) because they prevent the containers from spinning while on first conveyor belt 42. The distance between the first and second side grip belts 48 a/48 b of the container feeding station 40 can be selectively adjusted to account for containers of varying size. As shown in FIG. 5, the assemblies for the side grip belts are also mounted on horizontal guide rods 49.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the container feeding station 40 includes a closing rod assembly which has a first closing rod 45 and a second closing rod 47. Such an assembly is particularly useful when the containers include a hinge which joins the lid to the base. The container begins traveling at the first end 44 of the feeding station 40 and the lid 16 of the container contacts the first closing rod 45 and begins to be articulated upward. Then after traveling a bit further, the lid 16 contacts the second closing rod 47 which flip the lid over to a near closed position.

Systems 100 further includes a controller 90 that allows an index length and belt speed for the system to be adjusted. The controller 90 that interfaces with several sensors (not shown), the first conveyor belt 42, the transport assembly 70 and the sealing assembly 80, wherein at least one sensor sends a signal to the controller 90 when a container reaches a first point along the length of the system. Wherein upon receiving the signal, the controller 90 stops the transport assembly 70 and causes the press plate 84 to move from the first position to the second position such that the press plate 84 urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.

FIGS. 7 through 13 illustrate a representative method for sealing closing/sealing a plurality of containers 10. In FIG. 7 a container 10 is nearing the second end 46 of the container feeding station 40. In FIG. 8 a container 10 is shown at the second end 46 of the feeding station 40. Then the container is picked up by the transport assembly 70 and a pair of articulating jaws (See FIGS. 9 and 10). Sensing the presence of the container 10 at a predetermined position along the length of the support frame 20 directly below a sealing assembly 80 by means of a sensor the controller stops the transport assembly 70. Then the container 10 is sealed by press fitting the lid 16 of the container 10 to the sidewall 14 of the base to form a substantially leak-resistant seal by moving the press plate 84 from a first raised position that allows the transport assembly 70 to position the containers underneath the press plate, to second position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.

In one exemplary embodiment, the press plate 84 is a plate-like structure having a flat bottom surface. In alternative embodiments as shown in FIG. 15, the press plate 184 could include two rounded cavities which will allow the closing system to simultaneously close two domed shaped containers. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the press plate can be adapted and configured to closed multiple containers at the same time and those containers can have a variety of lid designs/shapes.

It should be readily understood that a container constructed in accordance with the present invention, which is preferably a plastic container used for carrying edible items, can be manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be formed from resins or plastic materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene terephthalate (“PETE”), as well as other suitable materials or combinations thereof. The forming process can also vary to include methods such as thermo-forming, injection molding or blow molding. The container can be transparent or translucent, and may be colored in either instance. Also, vents can be provided in the container to promote airflow therethrough, if appropriate based on the intended contents of the container. Preferably, container 100 is formed from a roll of PETE subjected to a vacuum and pressure mold with plug assist. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for closing/sealing a plurality of containers, each container having a base which includes a bottom portion and a sidewall extending upward from the bottom portion and a lid, the closure system comprising: a) a support frame; b) a container feeding station mounted to the support frame that includes a first conveyor belt the receives the plurality of containers in an unsealed configuration and moves the containers linearly from a first end of the container feeding station to a second end; c) a lid closing assembly which receives the unsealed containers from the second end of the container feeding station and includes: i) a transport assembly mounted to the support frame that includes laterally opposed first and second drive belts, each drive belt including at least one pair of articulating jaws adapted and configured for receiving one of the unsealed containers; and ii) a sealing assembly mounted to the support frame and positioned above the transport assembly and including a vertically actuating press mechanism having a press plate, wherein the press plate moves from a first raised position that allows the transport assembly to position at least one of the containers underneath the press plate, to second position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the articulating jaws includes a guide face which is shaped to correspond with a portion of the sidewall of the plurality of containers.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the articulating jaws are adapted and configured to provide support to at least a portion of the periphery of the base when the press plate is in the second position.
 4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each drive belt include six pairs of spaced-apart articulating jaws.
 5. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second conveyor belt that is associated with the lid closing assembly which assists in longitudinally transporting the plurality of containers from a first end of the lid closing assembly to a second end of the lid closing assembly.
 6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein a height of the transport assembly can be selectively adjusted relative to the support frame.
 7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein a distance between the laterally opposed drive belts of the transport assembly can be selectively adjusted.
 8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein a distance between each the pair of articulating jaws can be selectively adjusted.
 9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein a vertical height of the sealing assembly relative to the transport assembly can be selectively adjusted.
 10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the container feeding station further includes first and second side grip belts which assist in transporting the plurality of containers from the first end to the second end of the container feeding station.
 11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the distance between the first and second side grip belts of the container feeding station can be selectively adjusted.
 12. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the container feeding station includes a closing rod assembly.
 13. The system as recited in claim 1, further including a controller that allows an index length and belt speed for the system to be adjusted.
 14. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a controller interfacing with at least one sensor, the first conveyor belt, the transport assembly and the sealing assembly, wherein the at least one sensor sends a signal to the controller when a container reaches a first point along the length of the system, wherein upon receiving the signal, the controller stops the transport assembly and causes the press plate to move from the first position to the second position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.
 15. A method for sealing closing/sealing a plurality of containers, each container having a base which includes a bottom portion and a sidewall extending upward from the bottom portion and a lid, the method comprising: a) moving a container along the length of a support frame using transport assembly that includes laterally opposed first and second drive belts, each drive belt including at least one pair of articulating jaws adapted and configured for receiving one of the plurality of containers; b) sensing the presence of the container at a predetermined position along the length of the support frame by means of a sensor, wherein the predetermined position is directly below a sealing assembly that is mounted to the support frame and positioned above the transport assembly, the sealing assembly including a vertically actuating press mechanism having a press plate, c) stopping the transport assembly when the container reaches the predetermined position; d) sealing the container by press fitting the lid of the container to the sidewall of the base to form a substantially leak-resistant seal by moving the press plate from a first raised position that allows the transport assembly to position the containers underneath the press plate, to second position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.
 16. A system for closing containers comprising: a support frame; a container feeding station adjustably mounted to the support frame; and a lid closing assembly adjustably mounted to the support frame, wherein the container feeding station receives a container in an unsealed configuration and moves the container linearly to the lid closing assembly; and wherein the lid closing assembly includes: a transport assembly that includes laterally opposed first and second drive belts, each including at least one pair of articulating jaws adapted and are configured for receiving the unsealed container; and a sealing assembly that includes a press plate that moves from a first raised position to a second lowered position where that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base. 